Creature Profile

The Thyolo alethe is a small, thrush-like bird found in the forests of southeastern Malawai (east of the Shire river) and the Namuli and Chiperone mountains of Mozambique. Its coloration is a rusty brown and its underparts are lighter in color. The outer tail feather has a white tip.

The Thyolo alethe prefers subtropical or tropical moist montane evergreen forest for its habitat. It usually feeds at ant-swarms where it catches small arthropods flushed by ants. Breeding occurs at altitudes above 1200 meters, and during non-breeding season the birds may travel to lower altitudes. It is believed that the females lay eggs between September and January and prefer to nest high up in the forks of trees. It is also believed that males and females remain in pairs.

The Thyolo alethe is threatened by loss of habitat due to deforestation and forest degradation, and there may soon be very little habitat remaining for the species to dwell in. Some individuals are protected in forest reserves, but they provide very little protection, and the remaining range of the species is not protected.

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Twelve Incredibly Odd Endangered Creatures

1. SolenodonThe solenodon is a mammal found primarily in Cuba and Hispanola. The species was thought to be extinct until scientists found a few still alive in 2003. Solenodons only prefer to come out at night. They eat primarily insects and they are one of the few mammal species that are venomous, delivering a very powerful toxin. Symptoms of a solenodon bite are very similar to a snake bite, including swelling and severe pain, lasting several days.